About Canine Partners

Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with physical disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and quality of life through the provision of specially trained dogs, whose well-being is a key consideration. Over the past 27 years the charity has provided and trained over 667 dogs that help disabled people including 66 during 2016.

More than 1.2 million people in the UK use a wheelchair, and a significant number of those would benefit from a canine partner. The dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The charity aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities including civilians and members of HM Armed Forces, and is working closely with charities such as Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion.

It takes approximately 18 months to train a canine partner from selection at eight weeks old through puppy training and advanced training until they are partnered with a person with physical disabilities. Each partnership has regular visits from the charity’s aftercare assistants and support and advice is available 24 hours a day. There are 14 puppy training satellites across the UK where the pups are looked after by volunteers under the guidance of a Canine Partners’ trainer, during which time they learn obedience and some basic core tasks. When the pups are around 14-16 months old they come into one of the charity’s training centres in West Sussex or Leicestershire for five months to learn the advanced task work and to be matched with their future partner.

These life transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits including increased independence and confidence as well as increased motivation and self-esteem. A canine partner also brings companionship, a sense of security and increases social interaction.

Each partnership has a unique story. The following is a quote from David Follett, who has canine partner Tessie. David broke his neck in a road traffic accident when he was 18 and is paralysed from the chest down, reliant on a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Canine partner Tessie has helped to transform his life:

“After my accident everything changed. It was an incredibly tough time but once rehabilitated I returned to college and soon took up wheelchair badminton. Through badminton I met a friend who had an assistance dog. I contacted Canine Partners and I remember having the phone call saying we think we have found you a partner. When I first met Tessie I instantly fell in love with her.

“She just loves to work and is so intelligent; the way she can tell the difference with how to behave in different situations. Tessie loves trying her hand at any task I give her. She closes doors that I find difficult because I would have to manoeuvre my wheelchair. She is great at picking up dropped items and retrieving TV controls and phones for me, and she will now seek out my carer Bob if ever I need him for something. Tessie will go and find him, whether it is down the garden or at the other end of the house, and let him know that I need him.

“She makes a great companion and takes the worry away from my parents and my wife because when I’m by myself I’m ok as I have Tessie. I can’t imagine life without her. Without her I wouldn’t go out as much; I would rather stay in the warm, but having her makes me want to go out and give her long walks and go places. She has completed my family.”

Canine Partners receives no government funding and relies solely on public donations. There are various ways the public can help the charity to continue its work. Regular giving is one of the best ways of ensuring the future of Canine Partners, so at just £1 a week sponsoring an amazing puppy means you will in turn transform a life. Your monthly regular donation for your chosen puppy provides you with photos, a cuddly puppy toy, a personalised certificate and updates from your puppy during their early training. Visit myamazingpuppy.org.uk for further information and to find out which puppies can be sponsored today.

Another invaluable way to help Canine Partners is by leaving a gift in your Will. Many dogs currently partnered with people with disabilities had their training funded by kind benefactors who left gifts in their Wills. Finally the charity is always looking for more volunteers to help fundraise or speak on behalf of the charity and spread the word, but also to become puppy parents. Puppy parents are puppy socialisers who help train Canine Partners puppies from eight weeks to 14 months, providing them with the love, care and skills they need to go on to grow into fully trained assistance dogs.

For further information about Canine Partners and for ways to help the charity, visit caninepartners.org.uk.